Lorie Tensen

I’m Lorie—a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a woman at midlife, a multiracial person who identifies as a Black American, a transracial adoptee, a mother of two adult children, and the employee of two dogs and a cat.

I work especially well with adults who are navigating the complicated, sometimes messy business of being human. If you’re 21+, a “Woman of a Certain RAGE,” or simply ready to live your life more intentionally, we may be a good fit.

Maybe you need a place to breathe, vent, make sense of things, or find a little direction. We can talk about menopause, aging, work, relationships, identity, politics, family, or the weight of daily life. You don’t have to arrive with a neatly packaged problem.

I especially welcome people from marginalized communities, including Black women who have experienced mental health or medical racism, LGBTQ+ folx, and racially or culturally displaced adoptees exploring reunion, identity, family, and belonging.

You’ll get Midwestern honesty mixed with compassion, humor, curiosity, and a little saltiness. I believe you deserve to be able to show up as your whole self—without having to perform, apologize, or explain away your lived experience.

First, I don’t believe you need to be “fixed.” You’re not broken, and I’m not a handyman.

I see my role as a steady guide—someone who can help you slow down, get curious about what’s happening, identify what matters to you, and figure out where you want to go from here.

My work is grounded in social work, life wisdom, common sense, mindfulness, open-mindedness, and non-judgment. I use a holistic, positive, and solution-focused approach that considers your whole life—not just a diagnosis or a single problem.

Together, we’ll look at the thoughts, patterns, relationships, circumstances, and systems that may be affecting your well-being. We’ll also pay attention to your strengths, values, resilience, and the possibilities in front of you.

I believe therapy works best when there is honesty, transparency, respect, and room for humor. I won’t pretend to have all the answers, and I won’t tell you how to live your life. Instead, I’ll help you develop the clarity and confidence to make choices that are right for you.

Social Work is the cornerstone of my practice, and my work is rooted in an unwavering belief in civil and human rights for all.

My goal isn’t simply to help you feel better for the moment. It’s to help you build a life that feels more intentional, authentic, and sustainable—and to help you navigate the journey along the way.

Think of our first session as a get-to-know-each-other conversation. It’s an opportunity for you to get a feel for me, and for me to learn a little about you.

We’ll talk about what brings you to therapy now, what you’d like to be different, and what you hope to get from our work together. I’ll ask some questions about your history and may clarify information you’ve already provided when you scheduled your appointment.

You don’t need to show up with your entire life story—or have everything figured out. We’ll get a brief sense of who you are, what’s been happening, and what feels important to you at this point in your life.

And no, I’m not going to dig into the deepest, darkest corners of your life in the first 15 minutes. Nothing super heavy is required. We’ll go at a pace that feels comfortable and makes sense for you.

Most importantly, the first session is also about deciding whether we’re a good fit. Therapy is a relationship, and you should feel comfortable with the person sitting across from you. My hope is that you leave our first session feeling welcomed, heard, and maybe a little more hopeful about where we can go from here.